[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights\/","headline":"7 Tips for Staying Healthy on Long Flights","name":"7 Tips for Staying Healthy on Long Flights","description":"From plane-hopping pathogens to jet lag and dehydration, travelers confront a wide array of health risks while flying.","datePublished":"2017-03-23","dateModified":"2022-04-22","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","name":"Infectious Diseases","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/infectious-diseases-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/infectious-diseases\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":388,"keywords":["disease prevention","Healthy Living","Immunity","infectious disease","travel"],"articleBody":"From plane-hopping pathogens to jet lag and dehydration, international travelers confront an array of health risks while flying. Here are seven essential tips that will help keep you healthy during long flights:Stay Healthy on Lengthy Flights with These Tips1. Keep movingBlood clots and deep vein thrombosis are conditions that can develop during long, overseas flights. Walk up and down the aisles, or stretch to boost blood flow. Ask your physician about compression socks to help with blood circulation and to prevent swelling.2. Wipe down your surroundingsAirplanes are covered in germs and bacteria. Carry a packet of alcohol-based sanitizing wipes to disinfect your tray table, armrests, seat belt, and seat.3. Boost your immunityPrior to flying, make sure you\u2019re up-to-date on all of your vaccines. It often takes time to build immunity after vaccines are administered, so check with your doctor to see if you will need any recommended or required vaccines for international travel.4. Stay hydratedDehydration is common while flying, and can disrupt your sleep cycle, worsen the physical symptoms of jet lag, and weaken your immune system. Drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages.5. Rest upSleep deprivation can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. Make sure you get at least eight hours of sleep before you take off, and when traveling across time zones, try to sleep on the plane to help readjust your sleep schedule.6. Clean\u00a0your handsGerms are often passed through your hands. Be sure to keep your hands away from your face and to use hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol after touching any surface on the airplane and before you eat or drink. Always use it after washing your hands in the plane\u2019s bathroom \u2014 \u00a0as water on planes can sometimes carry bacteria.7. Use the air circulationAir from the vent is adjustable. Always set your ventilation to a medium setting so that infectious diseases don\u2019t settle into your personal space and are instead blown away by the air current.For more information about staying healthy while traveling, visit Travel Health at the UPMC Center for Care of Infectious Diseases or call 412-647-7228 to schedule an appointment to discuss your travel itinerary.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 23, 2017, and was last reviewed on April 22, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2017","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"7 Tips for Staying Healthy on Long Flights","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2017\/03\/stay-healthy-on-long-flights\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]